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October, 2026

Community Harvest Festival--Fund Raiser for the Community Network for Children (CNC)

Baked goods, craft, and tag sale tables lined the Town Hall on Saturday, September 26. The Harvest Festival created a lively Saturday event for the community and raised approximately $600 to support the Community Network for Children and the amazing work they do for our local families. We are so grateful for those who contributed baked delicacies, those who staffed their tables, and the many who stopped to buy, say hi, and contribute. Our homemade baked goods sold out, and the raffle brought joy to the winners. Thank you to everyone who made this such a success!

CNC Children’s Closet

On a glorious fall Saturday (October 3) the CNC held an Open House attended by 43 families acquiring clothing for at least 75 children. The CNC also distributed 323 diapers and gathered snowsuits, boots, and hats ahead of the winter season. Children really enjoyed picking out Halloween costumes and families enjoyed connecting with friends and other community members that they know. What a colorful display on the church lawn! A representative from WIC, the women, infants, and children’s program, shared information with families. In addition, Jennifer Hydefrost from the baby wearing group helped families with knowing how to use infant carriers and wraps and slings safely. Below you’ll find the CNC Children's Closet schedule, for providing FREE clothing for young children, newborn through elementary age; shoes, toys, books, and diapers! The Franklin Hampshire area Diaper Bank continues to supply us with disposable diapers we can offer to families for free. Families may access free diapers 1x a month. Thursdays, from 8 am – 12 pm and by appointment if unable to make this time:

• October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 OPEN

• November 5, 12, 19 OPEN

We are located at the Dixon House, 4 Montague Road, Leverett. Call/Text or email Gillian Budine, CNC Program Coordinator (978) 935-4909 or cnccoord@erving.com.

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​Neighbors in Need (NIN) The Neighbors in Need offering supports ministries of justice and compassion, with one-third of the offering given to the Council for American Indian Ministries and the remaining two-thirds supporting UCC justice ministries. In 2025, the Neighbors in Need Offering supported 26 grant recipients across the UCC who were engaged in projects of direct service and advocacy. This summer, an average of 172 children participated daily in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programs at various sites in and around Missouri’s Ferguson-Florissant School District. Grants from NIN provided these educational opportunities to children in underserved communities. It’s so important for these individuals to be able to envision themselves as capable in roles they couldn’t even imagine.

In Arizona, an NIN grant supports The Welcome Center. Some seasons Immigration Customs and Enforcement will drop off 150 to 200 refugees a day. The need is great and constantly shifting. The Welcome Center provides all the hospitality previously offered by congregations but on the larger scale, meeting emergency needs, such as clothing, food, and financial assistance.

Our gifts collectively support these and many other initiatives.

During the months of October and November, you can make donations for NIN by check made out to Leverett Congregational Church (write “NIN” in the memo line), in the collection plate or via USPS: PO Box 324, Leverett MA 01054, or online write "NIN" in the comments of an online donation at https://www.leverettcongregationalchurch.org/donate

 

Thank you to the Leverett Congregational Church for collaboration and

Claudia Gere and the Missions Committee 

 

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